Solar Impulse, a completely solar powered plane, took off today for the start of a 24 hour test flight. Yes, that's right, they intend to fly through the night. The plan is to charge the batteries during the day part of the flight and use that power to keep it going through the night. More here.
The ultimate aim is to do a round the world trip in a couple of years time and show the potential of solar power to aviation and transport generally.
I think solar powered airliners are decades away yet but this might be a good way of saving fuel in the nearish future.
Let's not forget what an amazing feat of engineering this looks like being: An aircraft that can take off, fly for a day and night, then land again without using a drop of fuel! That's just incredible.
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